What’s the difference between closed-cell and open-cell foam insulation?
Many of you are wondering what the difference between open and closed-cell foam insulation. According to the Company, “[t]here are three major differences. First, BASF Polyurethane Foam Enterprises uses the versatility of chemistry to offer a closed-cell content of greater than 90 percent for all of its formulations, and open-cell foams commonly used as insulation systems have approximately 60 percent open-cell content. Second, closed cell content offers an R-value of over 6.0 per inch and open cell offers between 3.0 and 3.6 per inch. Third, closed cell foam is virtually impermeable to air, while open cell foam allows far more air and vapor into the house interior.” As noted above, 90% of COMFORT FOAM is polyurethane foam and the balance is the blowing agent, Honeywell’s Envoate® 3000 245fa. I found it interesting that the Company sells ENERTITE®, an open-cell polyurethane foam insulation and compares it to their COMFORT FOAM® closed-cell insulation along with traditional fiberglass,
